Clutch free throws lift Liberty

Vickie Johnson, Cathrine Kraayeveld and Becky Hammon hit two free throws each in the final 25 seconds to lead the New York Liberty over the Washington Mystics 72-66 Tuesday night in New York for their season-high fourth straight victory.

Hammon scored 20 points, Shameka Christon had 17 and Johnson 15 for New York, which pulled within a half-game of second-place Indiana in the Eastern Conference.

Rookie of the Year candidate Temeka Johnson led Washington with 15 points, Charlotte Smith-Taylor added 14 and DeLisha Milton-Jones 13. Chasity Melvin and Alana Beard had 12 points each for the Mystics.

Lynx 73, Comets 62: At Minneapolis, Chandi Jones scored a career-high 17 points for Minnesota, who also got 16 points from Nicole Ohlde and 14 from Svetlana Abrosimova. Houston dropped a half-game behind idle Seattle in the race for second place in the Western Conference.

Mercury 58, Shock 51: At Phoenix, Maria Stepanova and Anna DeForge scored 14 points apiece as the Mercury snapped Detroit’s four-game winning streak. Stepanova is expected to leave the Mercury today to rejoin the Russian national team.

Monarchs 72, Sparks 63: At Los Angeles, Rebekkah Brunson had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead Sacramento over the Sparks. DeMya Walker added 17 for the Monarchs, while Mwadi Mabika led the Sparks with 12.